Theme & Amusement Parks in Anchorage

Air-filled structures within Pump It Up's indoor play-haven offer hours of safe bouncing enjoyment for youngsters two and older. Kids leap around in bounce houses during drop-in pop-in playtime sessions during weekdays, where they interact with other bouncers while getting exercise. An obstacle course adds challenges to their enjoyment, and inflatable slides bring kids back down to earth to start games anew. Pump It Up's space can be rented out for private events, such as birthdays, grade-school graduations, and a kid's first steps on the moon. Not just for children, Pump it Up also hosts teambuilding corporate events for adults and hosts family play times where parents are encouraged to jump along with kids.

What began as a colony farm built by the U.S. Army in 1935 became, by the mid-1950s, the childhood home of Reindeer Farm's head honcho, Tom Williams. After studying the habits of Scandinavian and Siberian reindeer herders in high school, Tom began to understand why the antlered creatures were considered the "cattle of the North": The brisk Alaskan climate suited their dense coats and languid presence at pool parties. In 1987, after years of practicing law throughout Alaska, Tom ventured to Canada to meet his first herd of reindeer, which he kept corralled next to a tiny sign and donation jar on the modest farm. Since then, that initial herd has blossomed into 150 reindeer, who graze beside 35 elk, 13 horses, one bull moose, and one surprisingly well-adjusted bison. Now a petting zoo, the farm has grown alongside the herd, with guided tours, scavenger hunts, and horseback rides treating guests to an up-close and hands-on experience with the majestic animals. Located in the colony's original chicken coop, a gift shop provides guests with any number of collectibles to commemorate their visits.

From April through September, baseballs and softballs hurl toward awaiting batters in The Cage's eight outdoor batting cages. As batters warm up, they choose between slow pitch or fast pitch options for softball batting and from four speeds for baseball pitching. Each $1 token grants participants 12 chances to practice their bunting, homering, or pausing balls in midair if they believe hard enough. Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., players can visit the facility to work on their batting, stock up on baseball apparel or gloves at the facility's shop, or celebrate a birthday with packages that include cage-rental time, a cake, and a gift for the celebrator.

In a steady procession, waves rear up to 4 feet high before collapsing and delighting waders with blasts of spray. Unlike ocean waves, these aren’t governed by the moon, and they don’t crash against a beach. Instead, they rhythmically rise and fall in the wave pool at H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark, which stays open year-round and is the state’s only indoor water park.

Outside of the wave pool, park visitors can find watery solace floating down the 575-foot lazy river with its gentle current. For a higher-octane experience, the Master Blaster water coaster rockets riders through a splash-filled adventure much safer than riding a scooter into the shower. And when it comes to entertaining the younger set, the four cannons on the park’s pirate ship evoke intrigue on its waters, and the placid children’s lagoon gives tentative youngsters a haven for safe play.